Gravel, stone and sand
Tons to cubic yards calculator
One US short ton of crushed stone or gravel is about 0.59–0.71 cubic yards, because these materials typically weigh 2,800–3,400 lb per cubic yard. Pick a material to convert tons to yards or yards to tons, with the working shown. Last updated October 12, 2026.
Tons ⇄ cubic yards
Planning conversion from the density shown below. Confirm the bulk density with your supplier.
Convert tons and cubic yards
Pick the material, or enter the density your supplier quotes.
A range, because the density is a range.
Densities are dry-weight or reference values. Moisture, grading, and compaction change real tonnage. Ask the supplier which density and ton type the quote uses.
The formula
Tons and cubic yards depend on density
Tons measure weight and cubic yards measure volume, so there is no fixed conversion. You need the material’s bulk density in pounds per cubic yard. Heavier, tightly graded or damp material packs more weight into each yard, so the same tonnage fills fewer cubic yards.
Use 2,000 for US short tons. For metric tonnes the divisor is 2,204.62 (1,000 kg ÷ 0.45359237 kg/lb, the exact pound definition), and for UK long tons it is 2,240. One cubic yard is 27 cubic feet or 0.764554857984 cubic metres.
Worked examples
Five conversions, calculated step by step
- 10 short tons of crushed stone. At 2,800–3,400 lb/yd³: 10 × 2,000 ÷ 3,400 = 5.88 yd³ at the dense end, and 10 × 2,000 ÷ 2,800 = 7.14 yd³ at the light end. Plan for 5.88–7.14 yd³ and ask the supplier which end applies.
- 20 short tons of crushed surfacing base course, truck measure. WSDOT lists 2,950 lb/yd³: 20 × 2,000 ÷ 2,950 = 13.56 yd³.
- The same 20 tons, compacted. WSDOT lists 3,700 lb/yd³ compacted on the roadway: 20 × 2,000 ÷ 3,700 = 10.81 yd³. The same weight occupies about 20% less volume once compacted.
- 15 metric tonnes of gravel. 15 t = 33,069.3 lb (15 × 2,204.62). Divided by 3,200 lb/yd³ that is 10.33 yd³; divided by 2,800 lb/yd³ it is 11.81 yd³. In metric, 7.90–9.03 m³.
- 12 cubic yards of dry sand to tons. 12 × 2,700 ÷ 2,000 = 16.2 short tons.
Examples one to three use the density ranges and WSDOT values shown in the table below. They are conversions from published densities, not weighed samples.
Density reference table
| Material | lb per yd³ | Short tons per yd³ | yd³ per short ton | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crushed surfacing top course, truck measure | 2,850 | 1.43 | 0.70 | WSDOT M 22-01.23 |
| Crushed surfacing top course, compacted | 3,700 | 1.85 | 0.54 | WSDOT M 22-01.23 |
| Crushed surfacing base course, truck measure | 2,950 | 1.48 | 0.68 | WSDOT M 22-01.23 |
| Crushed surfacing base course, compacted | 3,700 | 1.85 | 0.54 | WSDOT M 22-01.23 |
| Screened gravel surfacing, compacted | 3,700 | 1.85 | 0.54 | WSDOT M 22-01.23 |
| Gravel base, compacted | 3,400–3,800 | 1.70–1.90 | 0.53–0.59 | WSDOT M 22-01.23 |
| Crushed stone, ¼–2 in | 2,800–3,400 | 1.40–1.70 | 0.59–0.71 | Billdr table |
| Gravel, ¾–2 in | 2,800–3,200 | 1.40–1.60 | 0.63–0.71 | Billdr table |
| Gravel with sand | 2,900–3,400 | 1.45–1.70 | 0.59–0.69 | Billdr table |
| Rock and stone, 2–6 in | 3,000–3,400 | 1.50–1.70 | 0.59–0.67 | Billdr table |
| Dry sand | 2,700 | 1.35 | 0.74 | Billdr table |
| Wet sand | 3,240–3,380 | 1.62–1.69 | 0.59–0.62 | Billdr table |
WSDOT values are dry unit weights for Washington State specification materials, in truck measure and compacted on the roadway. The general ranges come from a commercial reference that shows no date or citation and says density varies by quarry and moisture. Treat them as planning ranges, and replace them with your supplier’s figure.
Common questions
Tons to yards questions
How many cubic yards are in a ton of gravel?
One US short ton of gravel (¾–2 in) is about 0.63–0.71 cubic yards when gravel weighs 2,800–3,200 lb per cubic yard. For crushed stone at 2,800–3,400 lb/yd³ the figure is 0.59–0.71 yd³. These are reference ranges; your supplier’s ticket density gives the exact answer.
How do I convert tons to cubic yards?
Multiply the tons by the pounds in one ton (2,000 for US short tons), then divide by the material’s density in pounds per cubic yard. Ten short tons at 3,000 lb/yd³ is 10 × 2,000 ÷ 3,000 = 6.67 cubic yards.
How many tons are in a cubic yard of gravel?
A cubic yard of gravel (¾–2 in) weighs about 1.40–1.60 US short tons using the 2,800–3,200 lb/yd³ reference range. Multiply the cubic yards you need by that figure to estimate tonnage.
Is a ton always 2,000 pounds?
No. A US short ton is 2,000 lb, a metric tonne is 1,000 kg (about 2,204.6 lb), and a UK long ton is 2,240 lb. A metric tonne is about 10% heavier than a short ton, so choose the ton type your quote uses before comparing.
Should I use loose or compacted density?
It depends on what is being measured. WSDOT lists crushed surfacing base course at 2,950 lb/yd³ in truck measure and 3,700 lb/yd³ compacted on the roadway. For 20 short tons, that is 13.56 yd³ at truck measure but 10.81 yd³ compacted, about 20% less volume. Use the basis that matches the quantity you are ordering or placing.
Why does my supplier’s tons-per-yard figure differ from a table?
Density changes with stone type, grading, moisture and how the material is measured. WSDOT states its tabulated weights are dry weights and that corrections are needed for water content. Quarries often publish their own conversion; use it when you have it.
Sources and limits
Road-base densities: WSDOT Design Manual M 22-01.23, Exhibit 620-1, September 2024. General ranges: Billdr stone calculator weight table, checked October 12, 2026. Length and volume constants follow the international yard and pound definitions.
Moisture, grading and compaction change real tonnage, and quarries may quote a different density. Confirm the figure and the ton type with your supplier before ordering. For concrete, use the concrete slab calculator.